Lahore: The Punjab government has significantly expanded its social protection and minority welfare initiatives in the Budget 2026-27, allocating billions of rupees for cash assistance, food subsidies, disability support, minority development and poverty alleviation programmes.
According to budget documents, the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry (PSER) has expanded its database from 20 million to 80 million citizens during the outgoing fiscal year, recording more than 110 million data entries. The government has earmarked Rs 2 billion for further updating the registry, which serves as the foundation for several welfare schemes, including the Wheat Support Programme and Minority Card.
To provide direct relief to low-income households, the government has allocated Rs 40 billion for the Maryam Nawaz Social Security Ration Card programme. The initiative is expected to benefit around 1.2 million labourers and deserving families through subsidies on essential food items.
The Ramazan Nigehban Package has been allocated Rs 37 billion for the next fiscal year. Under the programme, 3.4 million deserving families received financial assistance of Rs 10,000 each during Ramadan 2026.
Support for persons with disabilities has also been enhanced, with the allocation for the Himmat Card programme increased to Rs 5 billion.
Among other welfare measures, Rs 4.4 billion has been allocated for the Livestock Card Programme aimed at supporting rural women, while Rs 1.7 billion has been earmarked for the Dhee Rani Programme to assist deserving families in arranging marriages for their daughters. The government has also allocated Rs 2.6 billion for the establishment and expansion of Aafiat Old Age Homes across the province.
The budget documents reveal that Rs 18.5 billion has been allocated for financial support to 60,000 mosque imams who receive monthly stipends under the government’s initiative.
In a major step towards minority welfare, the Punjab government has allocated Rs 5 billion for the construction, restoration and development of gurdwaras, churches, temples, cemeteries and other religious and historical sites across the province. During the outgoing year, similar projects were completed at a cost of Rs 2.11 billion.
The Chief Minister Minority Card programme provided financial assistance to deserving minority families at a cost of Rs 3 billion during the outgoing fiscal year. Additionally, projects worth Rs 4 billion have been proposed under the Chief Minister Minority Development Programme to improve facilities and services for minority communities.
The government has also continued its focus on regional development through the Southern Punjab Poverty Alleviation Project, allocating Rs 2.5 billion for 2026-27 after benefiting nearly 7,000 deserving families.
Furthermore, Rs 19.34 billion has been proposed for the Punjab Sahulat Bazaar Authority to ensure the availability of essential commodities at affordable prices, while Rs 1.43 billion has been allocated for the upgradation of Sanatzars across the province.
The budget reflects the provincial government’s emphasis on social protection, poverty reduction and support for vulnerable segments of society through targeted welfare programmes and subsidies.